''The Thanksgiving Promise'' is a 1986 American

drama Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance: a play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a genre of poetry in general, the dramatic mode has b ...

television film A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

starring and directed by Beau Bridges, based on the 1983 young adult novel ''Chester, I Love You'' by Blaine Yorgason and Brenton Yorgason. It was produced by

Walt Disney Television Disney General Entertainment Content, doing business as Walt Disney Television, is an American entertainment company that oversees television content and assets owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. Forming the company's General Enter ...

, and originally aired November 23, 1986 as a presentation of ''

The Disney Sunday Movie The Walt Disney Company has produced an anthology television series since 1954 under several titles and formats. The program's current title, ''The Wonderful World of Disney'', was used from 1969 to 1979 and again from 1991 to the present. The p ...

'' on

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...

Plot

Travis Tilby leaps into action when neighbor Stewart Larson asks him to mind an ailing goose slated to be part of Thanksgiving dinner. A gentle animal lover, Travis dotes on the bird, feeding it by hand and speaking to it in soothing tones. However, as Thanksgiving nears, Travis has second thoughts about seeing the bird slaughtered, and he appeals to his father, Hank, and others in the community for help in saving the goose.

Cast

* Beau Bridges as Hank Tilby *

Millie Perkins Millie Perkins (born May 12, 1938) is an American film and television actress known for her debut film role as Anne Frank in ''The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959), and for her supporting actress roles in two 1966 Westerns, '' The Shooting'' and '' ...

as Lois Tilby *

Courtney Thorne-Smith Courtney Thorne-Smith (born November 8, 1967) is an American actress. She is known for her starring roles as Alison Parker on ''Melrose Place'', Georgia Thomas on '' Ally McBeal'', Cheryl Mabel in ''According to Jim'' and her recurring role on ...

as Sheryl *

Ed Lauter Edward Matthew Lauter Jr. ( ; October 30, 1938 – October 16, 2013) was an American actor and stand-up comedian. He appeared in more than 200 films and TV series episodes in a career that spanned over 40 years. Early life Lauter was born and ...

as Coach Gruniger * Anne Haney as Mrs. Sudsup * Beau Dremann as Alec * Bill Calvert as Jason Tilby *

Jordan Bridges Jordan Bridges (born November 13, 1973) is an American actor, best known as Frankie Rizzoli on ''Rizzoli & Isles'' (2010–2016). Early life Bridges was born in Los Angeles County, California, and is the son of actor Beau Bridges and Julie Brid ...

as Travis Tilby * Jason Bateman as Steve Tilby *

Lloyd Bridges Lloyd Vernet Bridges Jr. (January 15, 1913 – March 10, 1998) was an American film, stage and television actor who starred in a number of television series and appeared in more than 150 feature films. He was the father of four children, includi ...

as Stewart Larson * Jason Naylor as Arnold * Jessica Puscas as Jenni Tilby *

Joshua Bryant Joshua Bryant (born July 2, 1940) is an American actor, director, author, and speaker who is the founder of the Taos Talking Pictures Film Festival in Taos, New Mexico. Early life and education Bryant was born in Norfolk, Virginia. After at ...

as Sam the Vet * Zero Hubbard as Jeff * Tina Caspary as 1st Girl * Scott Nemes as 1st Boy * Kiblena Peace as Emily * Mark Clayman as Tommy * Dorothy Dean Bridges as Aggie Larson * Allan Dietrich as Square Dance Caller * Lucinda Jany as Neighbor Lady * Leonard P. Geer as Old Man *

Jeff Bridges Jeffrey Leon Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is an American actor. He has received various accolades throughout his career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. Bridges comes from a prominent ac ...

as Neighbor (uncredited)

References

External links

* 1986 films 1986 drama films 1980s American films 1980s English-language films ABC network original films American drama television films Disney television films Films about birds Films based on American novels Films based on young adult literature Films scored by Bruce Broughton Television films based on books Thanksgiving in films Walt Disney anthology television series episodes {{US-tv-drama-film-stub